The Liverpool loanee has never been afraid to take his future into his own hands.
After being farmed out again by Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League title challengers last summer, the 22-year-old was keen to make clear that – if Liverpool are in no position to offer him a place in their first-team picture going forward – then he would have few qualms about pursuing a clean break and a permanent departure.
And, on current form, Sepp van den Berg should not be short of offers.
If the former Netherlands Under 21 international had been criticised for his role in Mainz’s dismal start to the season – the 05ers won only two games by mid-March and were hammered 8-1 by Bayern Munich – then it’s only fair that Van den Berg is given his flowers following a sudden upturn in results.
Mainz are on a four-game unbeaten run, winning three, with Saturday’s 4-1 hammering of Hoffenheim closing the gap on Bochum, Wolfsburg and Union Berlin in the relegation play-off spot.
Liverpool loanee getting better by the week
“Sepp has taken a big step this year,” beams Mainz team-mate Phillipp Mwene, speaking in glowing terms about the former Preston North End and Schalke stopper (Voetbal Primeur).
“He is very solid at the moment. Sepp is a machine. His physical attributes are excellent. He is fast, can jump high and is strong in one-on-one situations.
“Every week you see him grow and develop, also on the ball. His structure is getting better and better. Another good central defender for the Netherlands.”
Unfortunately for Van den Berg, one of those other Dutch defenders is none other than Virgil van Dijk. Alongside Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez, the Liverpool captain has ensured that first-team opportunities have been few and far between for Van den Berg at his parent club.
“Of course he still needs to improve in some areas, but he is still very young,” ex-PSV Eindhoven full-back Mwene adds. “His work ethic is also very good. He is one of the guys who can be found in the gym before and after training.
“If you have that kind of mentality, combined with those qualities, then you decide where your ceiling is.”
Van den Berg is clearly a mature head on young shoulders. And that will stand him in good stead should the youngster make good on his promise to pursue the kind of regular first-team football that appears to be out of reach at Anfield.
Sepp van den Berg considering Anfield exit
“If I go back to Liverpool, they may want me to stay. If I notice that a lot of playing time is not available, then I may have to make the choice to leave,” Van den Berg told Voetbal Nieuws in February, all the while insisting that he plans to continue his development in one of Europe’s major leagues rather than make a return to the Eredivisie.
“For me, it is really important that I play. In the years before, I did not have the feeling that I would be in the starting line-up next to Virgil. I don’t know yet what (my prospects) will be like next summer.
“I’m doing well. I can handle the level at Liverpool. I can compete. But becoming a starter is, of course, still a different thing.
“Virgil and Konate are not small boys. I know it will be difficult.”
HITC have been informed that Liverpool, who may let Matip go when his contract expires in July, are keeping tabs on Matthijs de Ligt’s situation at Bayern Munich. There is also interest in a host of left-sided centre-halves, including Levi Colwill, David Hancko and Piero Hincapie.